Tuning device



Emg. 3%. M. R. DEL SONNO 1pm?? TUNING DEVICE' Filed Jan. 4, 193 2 'Ill Patented Aug. 9, 1932 j MICHAEL RALPE DEL sommor NEW YORK, N. Y.

' TUNING DEVICE .Application filed J'anuary' l, 1932. Serial N'o. 584,733.

This invention relates to tuning devices. Ever since the advent of commercial radio receivers, manufacturers have been engaged in designing novel and. improved tuning devices to facilitate tuning, and to createapleasing and individualistic dial design. So prominent have been these efforts that radio receivers bearing dials of all shapes and designs. have been manufactured, which are lo .more or less meaningless to the average radio listener. i

Because the dial is the medium through which the vast radio audience is connected to the various radio broadcasting stations, it is only natifral that this piece of apparatus should be given special consideration. j

It is, therefore, among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved tuning device for radio receiving apparatus or the like, which includes novel means for indicating theposition of the condenser or equivalent tuning unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, in a tuning device, means for indicating the setting of the receiving apparatus on a full-vision, Stationary, vertically calibrated dial platelocated on the tuning panel of the receiver, said means comprising a elt system which moves proportionally in response to tuning of the receiving apparatus. A further object of the present invention is to provide,. in a tuning device, a belt system with its associated rollers, said belt consisting of an upper portion of white and a lower portion of some darker color. The line, or level, where the upper white portion meets the lower darker portion is to be considered the reference point. in locating theposition of the tuning apparatus on the full-vision, station- 4 ary, .vertically calibrated dial plate A further object of the present invention' is to provide, in a. device of the character described, a belt system located in close proXimity to the full-vision, Stationary, vertically 4 calibrated dial plate, and arranged in such a.

manner that the aforesaid color-dividing line, or level, on one side of the belt will move, in tuning, within the confines of the upper and lower eXtremities of the calibrated dial plate,

thus locating the position of the tuning apparatus on said Stationary, calibrated dial plate.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, in a tuning device of the character described, a full-vision, Stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate whose sightopening, or window, resembles a thermometer in shape. In looking at the dial from the front of the tuning panel, `one sees that portion of the aforesaid belt which is within the thermometer-shaped opening, or window, of the calibrated dial plate, said calibrated dial plate being preferably in the form of an escutcheon plate, and mounted on the front of the tuning panel. Thus, in tuning, the level of the lower, darker portion of the belt moves vertically along the thermometershaped .sight-opening, or window, of said calibrated dial plate, said'leveljacting as a reference point orline' to locate the frequency setting of the receiving apparatus on said full-'vision, Stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate in much the same manner that the level of the fluid in a thermometer indicates temperature on a calibrated scale.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of the tuning panel of a radio receiving cabinet, showing the general shape and appearance of the tuning device;

Fig. 2 is a' side view of the t-uning device, showing the belt system and its associated driving means, and showing also the'relation of the various parts; and

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the belt system with the tuning panel removed. $0

By referring more particularlyto Fig. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that the invention is disclosed in combination with the tuning panel, 1, of a conventional radio receiving cabinet. Mounted on this tuning panel is an escutcheon plate, or name plate, 2, having a sight-opening, or window, of thermometer-shaped configuraton through which a thermometer-shaped portion of belt 3 is visible. The kilocycle graduations on the calibrated 'dial plate 2 are brought in very close proximity' to the moving belt 3 by means of a bevel. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l, the thermometerdial' is graduated in kilocycles in place of the usual temperature graduations of a thermomcter.

By referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that band, or belt, 3 'is made up of two portions, an upper portion, which is preferably white, and a lower portion of some darker color, such as red. The line, or level, which divides the upper, white portion from the lower, darker portion is to be considered the reference point or pointer in locating the position of the tuning apparatus on the fullvision, Stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate 2. This color-dividing line, or level, is indicated in Fig. 2 by the numeral '4:, but is shown more clearly in Fig. 3.

As seen in Fig. 2, belt 3 has associated with it a roller system comprising an upper roller and a lower roller 6. Rollers 5 and 6 are free to rotate about their shafts, when belt 3 is moved in either direction. -Roller supports, or frames, 7 and 8 are suitably attached to a rigid bracket 9, which is in turn rigidly mounted on the tuning chassis 10 of the receiving apparatus by means of screws 11. Bracket 9 is mounted in such a position that 'belt 3 assumes its correct spaced relation in respect to calibrated dial plate 2.

By referring further to F ig. 2, it Will be seen that movement of the tuning unit 24 is controlled by knob 12 through a vernier driving system shown at 23. The object of this invention is not to improve this vernier driving system, but rather to provide a novel means for indicating the position of the tuning unit on a full-vision, statonary, vertically ealibrated dial plate. Vernier driving system 23 may, therefore, be any conventional vernier driving unit. In the present case let us assume that this vernier driving unit has a five to one ratio. In other words, starting with the tuning unit at its minimum capacity, when knob 12 makes five complete` revolutions, tuning unit 24 will have completed a movement from its minimum to its maximum capacity in the case of a Variable condenser tuning unit.

As seen in Pig-..2, the rear side, also, of belt 3 has a color-dividing line, or level. A rigid metallic rod, or bar, 22, about one sixteeenth of an inch in diameter, is attached to the belt shaft 13 in such a manner that, when shaft 13 is rotated in a clockwise direction, flexible cable 16 will wind itself up around shaft 13, within the space 14, and thus draw bar 22 down towards the shaft 13 in proportion to the speed with which shaft 13 is turned. Also attached to bar 22 is another flexible cable 17, whichruns up and around pulley 18 and then down to shaft 13, to which it is attached, Cable 17 winds up on shaft 13, When the shaft is turned in a counterclockwise direction, and thus pulls bar 22 upward. Washers, or cable separators, 25 are fitted overthe shaft 13 in such a manner that cables 16 and 17 are effectively guided into their corresponding compartments shown at 14 and 15.

By referring again 'to Fig. 2, it will be seen that, when knob 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction, bar 22 will be pulled downward by cable16, and at the same time cable 17 will unwind itself from shaft 13 to allow bar '22 to move downward. Likewise, when knob 12 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, eable l7 will wind itself up around shaft 13 and thus pull bar 22 upwards, and cable 16 will unwind itself from shaft 13 to allow bar 22 to move upward. Because bar 22 is attached to belt 3, it follows that belt 3 will L.

move directly with bar 22.

Flexible cables 16 and 17 are so adjusted 'that there is no slack in them. This assures spring Y20, the same effect could be obtained 1.

by attaching pulley 18 directly to frame 7 by means of a resilient strip of metal.

In operation, this tuning device is so arranged that, when knob 12 is in the counterclockwise extremity of its five revolution range of travel, as shown in Fig. 2, cable 16 will be all unwound, cable 17 will be wound up with five turns around the shaft 13, reference line, or level, 4 will be indicating the frequency at 'the lower end of the calibrated dial plate 2, and bar 22 will be at its upper extremity. As tuning knob 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction, cable 16 will wind itself up around shaft 13, thus pulling bar 22 downWard-this amounts to raising the referpresent invention is the pleasing effect that up in five revolutions is equalto 3.1416 .25 5,

*it creates in operation. When observedfrom the front of the tuning panel, this tuning device resembles a thermometer both in appearance and in action.

It is evident from a consideration of Fig. 2 that the distance traveled by reference point, or level, 4 is proportional to the diameter of the cable winding forms, which in this case is the diameter of shaft 13. Because shaft 13 is in diameter, and has a tuning range of five revolutions, it follows that the length of cable which it is possible to wind or 3.927 inches. The distance between the upper and lower extremities of the calibrated dial plate scale is, therefore,,3.927 inches, or approximately four inches.

In order to more effectively simulate a thermometer, a transparent or mildly translucent window member 26, shown in Fig, 2 of the drawing, is placed behind the sightopening, or window, of the calibrated dial plate so that the color-dividing level.or ref-` erence point 4:, on the belt 3, is viewed through this translucent window member. In order to maintain the illusion of a -fluid s rising and falling, the colors used on the belt 3 should be absolutely pure, because any foreign color spots on the belt would be seen moving'up and down, in tuning, and thus give away the fact that it is not the level of a fluid that is rising and falling, but-rather the color' level of a material subtsane.'

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing,

it will be seenthat a dial lamp 27 is suitably attached, by ueans of lam bracket 28, to bracket 9. `Bjecause lamp 2? is* mounted behind the front side of belt 3, it is evident that belt 3 will have to bemade of a transparent or translucent material, or substance. In one case, the upper portion of belt 3 can 'be made of some transparent, co'lorless sub- Stance, and the lower portion of either a transparent or translucent colored substance, or an opaque substance. In this case, the calibrated dial plate is provided with a translucent window member. Thus, as the receiver is being tuned, the level of either a colored or black area, as the case may be, is seen to move up and down in response to tuning of the receiving apparatus. This, also, helps to create the novel illusion of seeing a rising and falling level rather than of seeing a rising and falling material substance.

From the foregoing, it will readily be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved tuning device, which includes with novel means for indicating on a .calibrated dial plate the position of the tuning apparatus, means for creating a thermometer effect so that, in tuning, the tuning device actually simulates, a thermometer both in appearance and in action, the onlydifierence bemg that in the thermometer the level indicates the temperature, whereas in the tuning device the level indicates the frequency setting of the receiving apparatus. It will be understood that the present invention is not specifically confined to the definite structure of details herein presented, but that numerous changes, modifications, and the full use of equivalents may be resorted to in the formation of the invention without departure from the .spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim: V

1. In a radio apparatus, a tuning panel having mounted thereon a full-vision, stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate, said calibrated dial plate having a. suitab-le sightopening, or window, a belt with its associated rollers, one side of said belt being in very close proximity to said sight-'opening, or 'window, in said calibrated dial'plate, said side of said belt consisting of a color-dividing line, or level, which indicates on said calibrated dial plate the setting of the receiving apparatus, driving means adapted to move said belt proportionally in response to tuning of said receiving apparatus, said driving means comprising two flexible cables so attached to the. other, or rear, side of said belt, and to the vernier tuning shaft, which is used as a winding form, that movement I'.

of said tuning 'shaft will proportionally move said belt, and the general interrelation and arrangement of the various parts being such that movement of the tuning knob of said receiving apparatus will proportionally move said color-dividing line, or level, within the confines of the upper and lower eX- tremities of the scale of said full-vision, stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate.

2. In a radio apparatus, a tuningpanel 1.1'.

having mounted thereon afull-vision,stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate, said calibrated dial plate having a suitable sightopening, or window, a belt with its associated rollers, close proximity to said sight-opening, or window, in said calibrated dial plate, said side of said belt' consisting of a color-dividing line, or level, which indicates on said calibrated dial plate the setting of the reili' ceiving apparatus, driving means adapted to one side of said belt being in very move said belt proportionally in response to tuning of said receiving apparatus, said driving means comprlsmg two flex1ble Cables so attached tothe other, or rear, side of said belt, I' T.:-

and to the vernier tuning shaft, which is used as a winding form, that movement of said tuning shaft will proportionally move said belt, associate means for automatically compensating for any slackenmg or contracting of the lengths of said flexible cables which may be caused by any natural external condition, and the general interrelation and arrangement of the various parts being such that movement of the tuning knob of said receiving apparatus will proportionally move said color-dividing line, or level, within the confines of the upper and lower extremities of the scale of said full-vision, stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate.

3. In a radio apparatus, a tuning panel' having mounted thereon a full-Vision, stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate, said calibrated dial plate having a sight-opening, or window, of thermometer-shaped configuration, said sight-opening, or window, being covered by a translucent member, a two-colored transparent or translucent belt with its associated rollers and driving means, the color-dividing line, or level, on one side of said belt, being in very close proximity to said calibrated dial plate, and a suitable source ofillumination behind said side of said belt, so situated that light coming from this source of illumination will be filtered in passing through said two-colored, transparent or translucent belt, and thus cast, or pro per projected light is cut oflr' by said lower, opaque portion of said belt to be considered the reference point or pointer in locating the position of the receiving apparatus on said calibrated dial plate, said driving means adapted for proportionally moving said cast shadow level on said translucent window member within the confines of the upper and lower extremities of the scale of said calibrated dial plate in response to tuning of said receiving apparatus.

MICHAEL RALPH DEL SONNO.

ject, twocolored lights upon said translucent i window member, which covers the'thermomcter-shaped sight-opening, or window, of said calibrated dial plate, the line, or level, on said translucent window meniber, where the upper projected color meets"` the lower contrasting, projected color to be considered 'the reference point or pointer in lo'catingthe position of the receiving apparatus on said calibrated dial plate, said driving means adapted for proportionally moving said color-dividing line, or level, within the confines of the upper and lower extremities of the scale of said calibrated dial plate in response to tuning of said receiving apparatus. 4. In a radio apparatus, a tuning panel having mounted thereon a full-'vision, stationary, vertically calibrated dial plate, said calibrated dial plate having a sight-opening,

or window, of thermometer-shaped configuration, said sight-opening, or window, being covered by a translucent member, .a belt with its associated rollers and driving .means, said belt consisting of two portions, an upper portion which is transparent or translucent and a lower portion which is opaque, the level of said lower opaque portion, on one side of said belt, being in very close proXimity to said calibrated dial plate, and a suitable source of illumination behind said side of said belt, so situated that light coming from this source of illumination will pass only through the upper transparent ort'ranslucent portion of said belt, and thus cast, or project, light upon the upper portion of said translucent window member of said calibrated dial plate, the line, or level, on said translucent window member, where the up- 

